Quick-connecting coupler for hoses, pipes and faucets

ABSTRACT

A quick-connecting coupler for connecting hoses, connectors together or to a faucet or other water accessories that allows ease of use by anyone, including the elderly, the infirm, and those suffering from disabilities. The quick-connecting coupler has a first male-end and a second female end. The second female end is provided with of spaced-apart through-slots or opening for receiving therethrough a pair of forks or leg-sections of a yoke. Each of the pair of forks or leg-sections is provided with at least one interior-facing linear thread or rib for engaging with the male threads of the mating male end of another hose, or the like. The second female end of the coupler of the invention has a pair diametrically opposed cutouts through which portions of the linear threads or ribs are exposed, whereby these exposed portions of the threads or ribs may mate with corresponding portions of the male threads of the mating male end positioned in the second female end of the coupler for coupling the mating male end in the female end of the coupler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a coupler for connecting a male-endof one hose, tube, connector, faucet, and the like, to a female end ofanother hose, tube, connector, and the like. Examples of prior-artquick-connecting hose couplers are disclosed in Applicant's previousU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,437; 5,788,289; and 6,786,516, and copendingapplication Ser. No. 10/728,428 filed Dec. 8, 2003, and Ser. No.10/746,508 filed Dec. 29, 2003. It has, however, been learned that thesequick-connecting couplers are difficult to use by the elderly or personssuffering from disabilities that affect their ability to grip andconnect the couplers between mating ends of hoses and/or faucets, andthe like. The present invention provides a quick-connecting coupler thatallows ease of use by anyone, including the elderly, the infirm, andthose suffering from disabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, the primary objective of the present invention toprovide a quick-connecting coupler for hoses, faucets, and the like,which is more easily used during connection and disconnection, wherebyelderly, the infirm, and those suffering from disabilities may use itwithout difficulty.

It is also the primary objective of the present invention to providesuch a coupler that utilizes a handle by which the quick-connectingcoupler may be gripped and held, for ease of use and which is used foractually mounting the female end of the coupler to a male end insertedin the female end of the coupler.

Toward these and other ends, the quick-connecting coupler of theinvention has a first male-end for connecting to a first female end of ahose, connector, tube, and the like, and a second female end forreceiving a second male end of another hose, connector, faucet, and thelike. Each of the first male end and second female end of thequick-connecting coupler of the invention is conventional in the sensethat the second female end of the quick-connecting coupler is providedwith an opening for receiving the second male end anther hose, or thelike, and has a washer for sealing the connection. However, the secondfemale end of the invention is different from the prior art in that itis provided with a pair of spaced-apart through-slots or openings forreceiving therethrough the pair of forks or leg-sections of a mountingelement. Each of the pair of forks or leg-sections is provided with atleast one interior-facing linear thread or rib for engaging with themale threads of a mating male end. The second female end of the couplerof the invention has a pair diametrically-opposed cutouts through whichportions of the linear threads or ribs are exposed, whereby theseexposed portions of the threads or ribs may mate with correspondingportions of the threads of the mating male end positioned in the secondfemale end of the coupler. The exposed portions of the linear threadsengage with the male threads of the mating male end positioned in thefemale end of the coupler, whereby the second female end of the coupleris mounted onto the mating male end positioned therein and sealedthereto via a washer. The linear ribs of the pair of forks or legsections of the mounting element may be provided at a slope or pitchmatching that of the male threads, or, alternatively, may have no slopeor pitch. Each fork or leg section may also be provided with a pluralityof linear threads or ribs for engaging with the threads of the matingmale end. As the forks are slid in the through-slots of the coupler atthe female end thereof, the sloping threads, through wedging or cammingaction, force the male end against the sealing washer in the female endof the coupler, to sealingly lock the male end therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more readily understood with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric assembly view showing the first embodiment of thequick-connecting coupler of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the coupling yoke with forked section forsliding in the coupler of FIG. 1 and used for engaging with the threadsof an inserted male end;

FIG. 6 is a side view of one of the fork-elements of the coupling yokeof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the coupling yoke of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the coupling yoke of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing the operating or engaged position ofthe coupling yoke of FIG. 5 in the coupler of FIG. 1 for locking athreaded male of a mating part in the female end of the coupler;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing the disengaged position of thecoupling yoke of FIG. 5 in the coupler of FIG. 1 after a threaded maleof a mating part in the female end of the coupler has been released andremoved from the female end of the coupler;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a modification of the coupler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 9 and showing the operatingor engaged position of a modified coupling yoke for use in the couplerof FIG. 11 for locking a threaded male of a mating part in the femaleend of the coupler;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-section view of the coupler of FIG. 11thereof;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of anther embodiment ofthe invention where only a female end is provided which, in combinationwith the coupling yoke of FIG. 5, is used as a nut for securing athreaded bolt, screw, and the like; and

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 shown incombination with the yoke FIG. 5, where the combination of the femaleend of FIG. 14 and the yoke serves as a nut for a bolt, screw, and thelike.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and to FIGS. 1-10,there is shown in the preferred embodiment the quick-connecting couplerfor coupling hoses, connectors, and the like, together or to a faucet,and the like, and is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. Thecoupler 10 has a circular cross-section, main body portion or housing 12consisting of a first, threaded male end 14 for connecting to a femaleend of a hose, connector, and the like, and a second, female end 16 forreceiving therein a mating, threaded male end of another hose,connector, faucet, or the like. The second female end 16 is of largerdiameter than the male end 14, with both ends 14 and 16 defining ahollow interior for the flow of fluid therethrough. The female end 16 isprovided with a seat 16′ (FIG. 13) for a sealing washer, o-ring, orother equivalent sealing element, 20 for providing a seal for theconnection between the female end 16 and a mating male end insertedtherein, in the conventional manner.

The female end 16 has no interior threads itself that can mate with thethreads of a male end inserted therein. Instead, in accordance with theinvention, a separate and slidable mounting element or part 22 (FIGS.5-8) is used for providing interior threads that mate with the threadsof the male end inserted in the female end 16. The mounting element 22consists of a yoke 24 having a handle section 26, and a forked section28 defining a pair of spaced-apart fork elements or leg-sections 30, 32.Each fork element 30, 32 has a free or cantilevered end 30′, 32′, and aninterior surface 30″, 32″ (FIG. 7), on which is provided or formed atleast one toothed bar or linear thread 34, 36, respectively. In thepreferred embodiment, preferably a plurality of parallel toothed bars orlinear threads 34, 36, are provided, respectively, on each interiorsurface 30″, 32″, which plurality of threads 34, 36 are spaced apart therequisite distance from each other for matching the pitch of the malethreads of a male end to be inserted into the female end 16. The threads34, 36 extend along the respective interior surfaces 30″, 32″ for atleast most of the length of the respective fork element 30, 32. Each ofthe toothed bars linear threads 34, 36, in the preferred embodiment,extends at a downwardly-extending slope or angle in the direction fromthe respective free ends 30′, 32′ toward the handle section 26 in orderto expedite the connection of the coupler 10 to a mating male endinserted into the female end 16. The degree of slope or pitch of each ofthe toothed ribs or linear threads 34, 36 preferably matches that of thethreads of a male end to be inserted into the female end 16, although itmay differ.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the housing 12 of the coupler 10 is providedwith a pair of oppositely-disposed slots or channels 40, 42 in which, orthrough which, are received and slide the fork elements 30, 32. Theslots or channels 40, 42 are located on diametrically-opposed portionsthereof at the female end 16. With the fork elements 30, 32 inserted forsliding movement in the channels 40, 42, respectively, portions of thelinear threads 34, 36 are exposed to the interior of the femaleend-portion via oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions 40′, 42′(best seen in FIG. 13) formed in the interior of the housing 12, as canbe seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. These interior cutout portions are formed byarcuately cutting diametrically-opposed sections of inner circular wall38 of the female end, which are arcuately extended enough of a distancesuch that the toothed ribs or linear threads 34, 36 project interiorlyand radially inwardly into the interior of the female end, whereby theinteriorly and radially inwardly projecting exposed portions of thelinear threads 34, 36 may be described as defining chords of a circle,which circle that of the interior circular wall 38. These exposedportions of the linear threads project into the interior volume of thefemale end 16 by which they may engage with the threads of an insertedmale end of a connecting hose, connector, faucet, or the like. In thepreferred embodiment, the height of the channels 40, 42, as viewed inthe vertical direction when viewing FIGS. 1 and 9, is greater that theheight of the two forks 50, 52, also taken in the vertical directionwhen viewing FIGS. 1 and 8, so that there is provided a gap or space forvertically positioning the forks 50, 52 in the channels, as is clearlyshown in FIG. 9, in order to vertically maneuver the forks so that thetoothed ribs or threads 34, 36 may be aligned with and come intothreaded engagement with the juxtapositioned portion of the threads ofthe male end inserted in the female end 16 and exposed thereat via thecutout portions 40′, 42′. Depending upon how the male end is inserted inthe female end 16, the exposed portion of the threads of the male endwill be of different vertical location or elevation relative to theheight of the channels 40, 42. This ensures that one may engage thelinear threads with a portion of the threads of the male end inserted inthe female end 16, so that the below-described camming effect foreffecting sealing may occur, without any relative rotation of thecoupler needed relative to the inserted male end. However, this gap neednot provided, in the case of which relative rotation between the coupler10 and the inserted male end may, in some circumstances, be required foreffecting the seal, as described hereinbelow.

In the preferred embodiment, since the slope and pitch of the threads34, 36 are approximately the same as that of the threads of a male endto be inserted into the female end-portion 16, one need not rotate thecoupler 10 to attach and seal the female end to an inserted male end,but one need only push the fork section 28 of the mounting element 22through the through-slots 40, 42, by which the pitched or downwardlysloping linear threads 34, 36 engage with the threads of the male endinserted in the female end-portion 16, and whereupon further sliding ofthe fork section in the through-slots 40, 42 causes the sloping linearthreads to cam or wedge the male end inserted into the femaleend-portion against the sealing washer 20, without any need of causingrelative rotation between the male end inserted in the femaleend-portion 16 and the female end 16 itself.

As explained above, the linear threads 34, 36 preferably have a slopeapproximately equal to the slope and pitch of the threads of the maleend to be inserted into the female end 16, whereby any relative rotationbetween the male end inserted in the female end-portion 16 and thefemale end 16 is not needed in order to connect the male end in thefemale end 16. However, it is within scope and purview of the inventionto provide linear threads 34, 36 that have a slope that is differentfrom that of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the femaleend 16. Thus, the slope of the linear threads 34, 36 may be steeper thanthat of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the femaleend-portion 16, whereby greater force would be required to seal a maleend in the female end 16 against the washer 20. Alternatively, the slopeof the linear threads 34,36 may be shallower than that of the threads ofthe male end to be inserted into the female end 16, whereby less forcewould be required to seal a male end in the female end-portion againstthe washer 20, in which case longer linear threads 34, 36 may requiredalong with the concomitant lengthening of the mounting element 22. It isalso possible to provide non-sloping or horizontal linear threads 34,36, whereby relative rotation between the female end 16 and the male endinserted therein may be required for forcing and retaining the insertedmale end against the washer 20. In this instance, by rotating the femaleend-portion via the handle-section 26, the exposed portions of thelinear threads mate with the threads of the inserted male end, drawingthe inserted male end inwardly into the interior hollow volume of thefemale end-portion, until the end of the inserted, mating male end seatsagainst the sealing washer 20, whereby a sealed connection is achieved.It is, also, noted that in all variations of the slope of the linearthreads 34, 36, one may, if desired, also rotate the female end-portion16 relative to the inserted male end in order to achieve in an eventighter seal against the washer 20, if necessary.

The main body portion housing 12 is also provided with a pair ofdiametrically-opposite, tangential flanges or arms 50, 52 located at theentrance to the through-slots 40, 42, respectively. Each flange 50, 52has a first end 50′, 52′, adjacent a respective entrance to the channels40, 42 and a cantilevered, or free, end 50″, 52″, with each flangedefining an interior-facing inner surface 54, 56, respectively, in whichis formed a guide slot or groove. The surface wall 40′, 42″ of eachchannel 40, 42, respectively, is also formed with a groove or slot 53,55 (FIG. 2) matching, and in alignment with, the grooves in theinterior-facing grooves of the flanges 50, 52, whereby one elongatedguide slot or groove 54′ or 56′ is provided. Each guide groove or slot54′, 56′ slidingly receives therein a guide pin or post 58, 60,respectively, projecting outwardly or exteriorly from a respective freeor cantilevered end 30′, 32′, of a fork element 30, 32. The guide pinsretain the fork elements 30, 32 in the slots 54′, 56′ , with the closedends of the slots 54′, 56′ serving as a stop for the guide pins forpreventing the forked section 28 from exiting from the channels 40, 42,whereby the mounting element 22, with the yoke 24, handle section 26,and a forked section 28 thereof, remain attached to the female end 16 ofthe housing 12 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 10,when the coupler 10 of the invention is not being used, the mountingelement 22 may be slid in a direction away from the coupler 10, untilthe guide pins 58, 60 abut against the closed ends of the slots in theflanges 54, 56, thereby acting as stops thereagainst. In this limitposition, the guide pins 58, 60 also serve as hinges or pivot pins, bywhich the mounting element 22 may be pivoted or rotated 90 degrees,until it is at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe coupler 10, whereby easier storage of the device is made possible.When the mounting element 22 is needed to be used again, one simplyrotates or pivots it in the opposite direction whereby its length issubstantially co-extensive with the longitudinal axis of the coupler 10,in the manner described above during the use of the coupler 10. Thecoupler 10 is, also, preferably provided with a T-shaped drain vent ordrain channel 70 having a base channel section 70′ through which waterpressure is relieved during initial disconnection of the mating parts,so as prevent unwanted spraying or water jets when disconnecting theinserted male end from the female end 16. This vent or drain may belocated anywhere, but, as shown in, is preferably near or adjacent thesealing washer 20. By locating this vent at the sealing washer, when thecoupler 10 is in use, the “piston-effect” similar to that disclosed inapplicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,289, is not created, whereby the sealingwasher 20 is not urged or forced in the opposite direction to the flowof water, against the juxtapositioned end of the inserted male end.However, if such a piston-effect were desired, then the base channelsection 70′ may be dispensed eliminated.

When using the coupler 10 in order to connect a pair of hoses,connectors, and the like, together, or to a faucet or other wateraccessory, one first inserts the male end into the female end 16 of thecoupler 10, until it is seated against the sealing washer 28. Then, themounting element 22 is moved toward the coupler 10 so that the forkelements 30, 32 slide in the channels 40, 42 as guided by the guide pins58, 60. As the forks slide, the sloping linear threads 34, 36 thereof,through camming or wedge action, cooperate with the threads of the maleelement inserted in the female end-portion 16, translating and forcingthe male element against the sealing washer 28 with enough force so asto provide a water-tight seal. If additional tightening is desired ornecessary, one may rotate the mounting element 22 via its handle, inorder to rotate it and the attached coupler 10 relative to the insertedthreaded male end.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, there is shown a modification of thecoupler of the invention and indicated generally by reference numeral80. The coupler 80 is substantially the same as the coupler 10 exceptthat the housing 82 thereof is not provided with the flanges 50, 52 ofthe coupler 10, nor do the forks 84, 86 of the mounting element 88thereof, which serves the same function as that of the mounting element22 of the coupler 10, have the guide pins or stops 58, 60 of themounting element 22 of the coupler 10. Therefore, the mounting element88 with its fork elements 84, 86 is completely removable and separablefrom the coupler 80 during non-use and storage.

While it has been described that the preferred embodiment utilizesdownwardly sloping linear threads 34, 36 on the interior surfaces of theforks, they may made to extend horizontally without slope, whereupon, inorder to connect the coupler to a male end, one may have to rotate thecoupler relative to the inserted male end via the mounting element 22.It is also within the scope and purview of the invention to providesloping linear threads 34, 36 that slope upwardly in a sense opposite tothat shown in the drawings for the couplers 10 and 80. In this case,rotation of the coupler relative to the inserted male end via themounting element 22 would be a requirement and would proceed by means ofthe cross-threading of the threads of the male end with the linearthreads of the mounting element 22. In addition, even the case of thepreferred embodiment, where the linear threads are downwardly-slopingand preferably at the same angle and pitch as the threads of theinserted male end, if, for some reason, the male end inserted into thefemale end of the coupler 10 is not properly aligned therein, the linearthreads of the mounting element 22 will still secure and causing thesealing between the male end and the female end of the coupler by thecross-threading of the two parts, in which case relative rotationbetween the female end 16 and the male end inserted therein would be arequirement in order to effect the seal therebetween. Therefore, nomatter what degree or sense of slope of the linear threads 34, 36 isprovided, if cross-threading thereof with the outer threads of the maleend inserted in the female end 16 were to occur, the seal may still beachieved by such relative rotation. Such relative rotation is achievedby gripping the handle section 26 of the mounting element 22 andturning.

While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed as being directed to athreaded male end to be inserted in the female end 16, the coupler 10 or80 may also be used for receiving in its female end a grooved or flaredmale end, as described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,516. In thisinstance, there would only be required one linear thread 34, 36.Moreover, this one linear thread would be downwardly sloping, in themanner described above and shown in FIGS. 5-9.

It is also noted that under some limited circumstances, only one fork 30or 32 need be provided. In this case, the other of the forks 30 or 32could be dispensed with altogether, and the linear threads on the oneremaining fork would engage with the threads of the inserted male end.In this case, the female end 16 would be made extra long with a longercutout portion 40′ or 42′ being provided to expose a greater length ofexposed linear thread or threads 34 or 36. In this case, only onechannel 40 or 42, therefore, would need to be provided. Alternatively,both forks may be provided, but only one of them would be provided withthe linear thread or threads.

The couplers 10 and 80 may be used, not only in liquid environment, butmay also be used in fluid environments in general, such as pressurizedgases, and the like. It is also possible to replace the male end 14 witha female end for thereby coupling together two male parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown another embodiment 100of the coupler of the invention in which it is used as a “quick” nut foruse with a threaded bolt, rod, screw, and the like, for serving as atemporary or semi-permanent nut. In this embodiment, only a female orreceiving portion 116 is provided, and no male end. In this embodiment,the coupler 100 acts or serves as a nut for use with a threaded bolt,rod, screw, and the like. The female portion 116, since it not used in afluid environment, does not have a sealing washer, but simply provides apassageway or hollow through-volume through which may pass the shaft 120of a threaded bolt or screw 118. The female portion 116 is provided witha pair of channels 140, 142 similar to the channels 40, 42 of theembodiments of FIGS. 1-13, as well as oppositely-disposed, interiorcutout portions (not shown) the same as the oppositely-disposed,interior cutout portions 40′, 42′ of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13. Thechannels 140, 142 receive therethrough the forks of the mounting element122 that is essentially identical to the mounting element 22 of theembodiments of FIGS. 113, and, therefore, consists of a yoke 124 havinga handle section 126, and a forked section 128 defining a pair ofspaced-apart fork elements or leg-sections. In use, the shaft 120 of abolt or screw 118 is inserted through the opening of the coupler 100until the desired portion of the shaft is located within the hollowinterior of the coupler's female portion 116. Then, the forks of theforked section 128 of the mounting element 122 are slid through therespective channels 140, 142 of the coupler 100, whereupon the linearthreads in the interior surfaces of the forks engage with the threads ofthe shaft 120, to thereby lock the coupler 100 to the shaft 120. Thenumber, size, slope and pitch of the linear threads of the forks of theforked section 128 are identical to that described above with respect tothe other embodiments, and operate in the same manner as described abovefor securing the coupler 100 to the bolt or screw 118.

An example of use of the coupler 100 as a nut for a bolt, rod, or screw,is as a quick-adjusting nut for use on miter frame clamps. These clampsutilize long lengths of threaded rod. Depending on the size of the workpiece, the coupler 100 serving as a “quick” nut is adjustable to fitwithout requiring turning. The coupler 100 also works on a bench woodworker's vise and any vise or clamp that uses threads. The adjustment ofthese devices would be made with the “quick” nut of FIGS. 14 and 15without requiring turning, or, if turning of the coupler 100 serving asa “quick” nut is required, may be achieved via the handle 126. Inaddition, a C-clamp could be made by using the “quick” nut of FIGS. 14and 15, where the C-clamp is made up of a long piece of threaded bolt.The bolt is slid back and forth to the desired opening, and then theforks of the forked element 128 is slid in to tighten. The “quick” nutof FIGS. 14 and 15 would, also, work with a long piece of anall-threaded rod. Instead of conventionally screwing a nut onto 8″ or10″ all-thread rod, with the coupler 100, one simply pushes on thefemale portion 116 to the desired placement, and then installs the forksof the forked element 128 for a tight fit.

It is also noted, as described above with regard to the otherembodiments, that under some limited circumstances, only one fork needbe provided. In this case, the other of the forks could be dispensedwith altogether, and the linear threads on the one remaining fork wouldengage with the threads of the threaded shaft of the bolt, rod, orscrew. In this case, the female or receiving portion would be made extralong with a longer cutout portion being provided to expose a greaterlength of exposed linear thread or threads. In this case, only onechannel 140 or 142, therefore, would need to be provided. Alternatively,both forks may be provided, but only one of them would be provided withthe linear thread or threads.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that numerous changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a coupler for coupling a male end into a female end, said couplercomprising a main housing having a first end and a second female end,said female end used for receiving a mating threaded male end therein,and sealing means operatively associated with said female end forproviding a seal, the improvement comprising: coupling means forengaging with threads of a threaded male end inserted in said femaleend; said coupling means comprising fork means having pair ofspaced-apart fork elements, each said forked element having of anelongated interior surface facing the elongated interior surface of theother said forked element; thread-engaging means formed in each saidelongated interior surface for engaging with threads of a male endinserted in said female end on opposite sides thereof; said main housingcomprising a pair of channels for sliding therethrough said pair ofspaced-apart fork elements, a respective said fork-element beingslidingly received in a respective one of said pair of channels, saidpair of channels being formed in said main housing at said female-endthereof; said main housing further comprising a pair ofoppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions that cooperate with thehollow interior of said pair channels and with the hollow interior ofsaid female end, a respective one of said pair of oppositely-disposed,interior cutout portions being associated with a respective one of saidchannels, said pair of oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portionsexposing said thread-engaging means of said pair said elongated interiorsurfaces of said pair of forked elements to said hollow interior of saidfemale end; said thread-engaging means of said pair said elongatedinterior surfaces of said pair of forked elements engaging with thethreads of a male end inserted in said female end when said pair offorked elements are positioned in said pair of channels via said pair ofoppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions, whereby a male endinserted in said female end may be sealed against said sealing means forproviding a sealed connection therebetween.
 2. The coupler according toclaim 1, wherein said thread-engaging means of each said elongatedinterior surface comprises at least one elongated linear thread.
 3. Thecoupler according to claim 2, wherein said thread-engaging means of eachsaid elongated interior surface comprises at least one sloping elongatedlinear thread.
 4. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein said eachsaid forked element comprises a first end and a second cantilevered end;each said at least one elongated linear thread sloping downwardly in adirection from said second cantilevered end toward said first end; saidelongated linear threads being capable of wedging a male end inserted insaid female end as said fork-elements are slid in said channels.
 5. Thecoupler according to claim 4, wherein said coupling means compriseshandle means connected to said fork means at said first ends of saidforked elements; each said forked element having an exterior-facingprojection adjacent said second cantilevered end; said main housingfurther comprising a pair of flanges positioned on opposite sidesthereof at said female end, each said flange being juxtapositioned atone said channel, and defining an interior-facing slot in which rides asaid projection; each said slot being in alignment with a respectivesaid channel, whereby each said projection slides in a respective slotand in a respective channel when said coupling means is used to couple amale end in said female end.
 6. The coupler according to claim 2,wherein said thread-engaging means of each said elongated interiorsurface comprises a plurality of elongated linear threads.
 7. Thecoupler according to claim 2, wherein said thread-engaging means of eachsaid elongated interior surface comprises a plurality of elongatedlinear threads having a pitch substantially equal to that of the threadsof a male element to be inserted in said female end.
 8. The coupleraccording to claim 1, wherein said main housing further comprises a ventopening at said female end for venting the pressure during removal ofthe male end inserted in said female end; and wherein said channels havea height greater than that of said fork elements in order to providemaneuverability to said fork elements in said channels for aligning saidthread-engaging means with the portion of the threads of a male endinserted in said second female end located thereat.
 9. Aquick-connecting coupler for coupling one threaded male end of a firstpart to another threaded part of a second part, comprising: a mainhousing having a first end for connecting to the another part of asecond part, and a second female end for connecting to the threaded maleend of a first part, and sealing means operatively associated with saidsecond female end for providing a seal; coupling means for engaging withthe threaded male end of a first part to be inserted in said secondfemale end; said coupling means comprising fork means having a pair ofspaced-apart forks elements, each said forked element having of anelongated interior surface facing the elongated interior surface of theother said forked element; thread-engaging means formed in each saidelongated interior surface for engaging with the threaded male end of afirst part to be inserted in said female end on opposite sides thereof;said main housing comprising a pair of channels for sliding therein saidpair of spaced-apart fork elements, a respective said fork-element beingslidingly received in a respective one of said pair of channels, saidpair of channels being formed in said main housing at said female-endthereof; said main housing further comprising a pair ofoppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions that cooperate with thehollow interior of said pair of channels and with the hollow interior ofsaid female end, a respective one of said pair of oppositely-disposed,interior cutout portions being associated with a respective one of saidchannels, said pair of oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portionsexposing said thread-engaging means of said pair said elongated interiorsurfaces of said pair of forked elements to said hollow interior of saidfemale end; said thread-engaging means of said pair said elongatedinterior surfaces of said pair of forked elements capable of threadedengagement with the threaded male end of a first part to be inserted insaid female end when said pair of forked elements are positioned in saidpair of channels via said pair of oppositely-disposed, interior cutoutportions, whereby a male end inserted in said female end may be sealedagainst said sealing means for providing a sealed connectiontherebetween.
 10. The coupler according to claim 9, wherein said femaleend comprises a circular wall in which said pair of oppositely-disposed,interior cutout portions are formed; said pair of spaced-apart forkelements being spaced apart a distance such that the interior-mostfacing portions of said thread-engaging means are spaced apart a lateraldistance such that said thread-engaging means project into the interiorof said female end when said fork elements are slid in said pair ofchannels for engaging with the threads of the threaded male end of afirst part to be inserted in said female end.
 11. The coupler accordingto claim 9, wherein said thread-engaging means of each said elongatedinterior surface comprises at least one sloping elongated linear thread.12. The coupler according to claim 11, wherein said each said forkedelement comprises a first end and a second cantilevered end; each saidat least one elongated linear thread sloping downwardly in a directionfrom said second cantilevered end toward said first end; said elongatedlinear threads camming a threaded male end to be inserted in said femaleend when said fork-elements are slid in said channels.
 13. The coupleraccording to claim 12, wherein said coupling means comprises handlemeans connected to said fork means at said first ends of said forkedelements; each said forked element having an exterior-facing projectionadjacent said second cantilevered end; said main housing furthercomprising a pair of flanges positioned on opposite sides thereof atsaid female end, each said flange being juxtapositioned at one saidchannel, and defining an interior-facing slot in which rides a saidprojection; each said slot being in alignment with a respective saidchannel, whereby each said projection slides in a respective slot and ina respective channel when said coupling means is used to couple a maleend in said female end.
 14. A method of coupling a threaded male end ofa first part to a second part using a coupler, where said couplercomprises a first end for connecting to the second part, and a secondfemale end for connecting to the threaded male end of the first threadedmale part; sealing means operatively associated with said second femaleend for providing a seal; coupling means for engaging with the threadedmale end of the first part which coupling means comprises at least onefork element with interior-facing thread-engaging means; said female endhaving at least one channel for sliding therein at least one forkelement, and also having at least one interior cutout portion thatallows fluid cooperation between the hollow interior of said at leastone channel and the hollow interior of said female end, said methodcomprising: (a) inserting the threaded male end of the first part insaid female end until at least some of the threads thereof are exposedto the hollow interior of said at least one channel by means of said atleast one interior cutout portion; (b) sliding said at least one forkelement in said at least one channel; (c) said step (b) comprisingexposing and projecting the interior-facing thread-engaging means intothe interior of said female end; (d) said step (c) comprising engagingsaid interior-facing thread-engaging means with the threads of thethreaded male end of the first part; and (e) sealing the threaded maleend of the first part in said female end against said sealing means. 15.The method of coupling a threaded male end of a first part to a secondpart using a coupler according to claim 14, wherein said interior-facingthread-engaging means are sloping threads; said step (e) comprisingwedging the threaded male end of the first part against said sealingmeans via said sloping linear threads as said at least one forkedelement is slid in said at least one through-channel during said step(b), whereby relative rotation between said female end and the firstpart is not a necessity.
 16. The method of coupling a threaded male endof a first part to a second part using a coupler according to claim 14,wherein said step (e) comprises wedging the threaded male end of thefirst part against said sealing means via said linear thread means assaid at least one forked element is slid in said at least one channelduring said step (b).
 17. The method of coupling a threaded male end ofa first part to a second part using a coupler according to claim 14,wherein said step (e) comprises rotating said female end relative tosaid threaded male end of the first part for forcing the threaded maleend of the first part against said sealing means via the engagement ofsaid linear thread means of said at least one forked element with thethreads of the male end of the first part.
 18. The method of coupling athreaded male end of a first part to a second part using a coupleraccording to claim 17, wherein said step of rotating said female endrelative to said threaded male end of the first part comprises grippinga handle attached to said coupling means.
 19. The method of coupling athreaded male end of a first part to a second part using a coupleraccording to claim 14, further comprising: (f) removing the inserted andsealed male end of the first part from said female end; (g) said step(f) comprising sliding said at least one forked element in the oppositedirection as said step (b); (h) said step (f) comprising venting thefluid pressure through a vent opening in said housing at said femaleend.
 20. A quick-connecting coupler for coupling to threads of maleportion and a threaded shaft of a bolt, rod, and screw, comprising: amain housing having a receiving portion for receiving therein a threadedportion of one of male portion and a threaded shaft of a bolt, rod orscrew; coupling means for engaging with the threaded portion; saidcoupling means comprising fork means having at least one fork element,said at least one forked element having of an elongated interiorsurface; thread-engaging means formed in said elongated interior surfacefor engaging with the threaded portion inserted in said receivingportion; said main housing comprising at least one channel for slidingtherein said at least one fork element for sliding reception in said atleast one channel; said main housing further comprising at least oneinterior cutout portion that cooperates with the hollow interior of saidat least one channel and with the hollow interior of said receivingportion, said at least one interior cutout portion exposing saidthread-engaging means of said at least one element to said hollowinterior of said receiving portion; said thread-engaging means of saidat least one forked element capable of threaded engagement with thethreads of the threaded portion when said at least one forked element ispositioned in said at least one channel via said at least one interiorcutout portion.